Chapter Twenty-Six
Gilbert told Jaxon about his conversation with Carmella. Jaxon was excited to know that her dad wanted them to get married. The press conference was coming up in an hour's time, so he decided to call Ethan Parker after the press conference.
At the press conference, Gilbert announced his upcoming wedding to his fiancée Jacqueline Drewitt and declined all rumours about Carmella Parker. He informed the press how he treated her as a sister. He also declined all rumours about his resignation from the JC Group.
Jaxon was questioned about his missing designs and he answered them stating that the designs had been retrieved and the culprits had been arrested.
"Sir, please can you throw some light upon your relationship with Carmella Parker?" Asked a reporter.
"That's a personal question which I would prefer not to answer. She's too special to me," he answered and the reporters went crazy.
"Sir, are you in love with Carmella Parker?" Asked another.
"Sir, when are you getting married to Carmella Parker?" Asked another reporter.
"Sir is it true that l'amour has been inspired by Carmella Parker?" Asked another.
"Yes, she is the inspiration behind l'amour," said Jaxon.
"So when can we expect a wedding, sir?" Asked another.
"I will announce when it happens. That would be all. Thank you everyone for your time. This press meet is over," said Jaxon getting up.
"Sir one last question, please. Your admirers and customers want to know when you will launch l'amour?" Asked another reporter.
"Maybe in three months," he answered.
"Is Carmella Parker the true love of your life, sir? All your female followers want to know if they stand a chance with you," said a reporter.
"No chance at all. I'm taken for life. I only love Carmella Parker. Thank you, everyone, " he said, leaving the conference room and walking out to the elevators.
"What the hell was that?" Yelled a frustrated Ethan Parker. He had video recorded the entire press conference on his mobile phone. "I need to send this to Carmella. She has to sort out their misunderstandings and get married. This will devastate our goodwill," he said.
Carmella's mom agreed and they sent the footage of the entire press to Carmella.
However, an incoming call from an unknown number stopped Ethan Parker from talking to his daughter. "Yes? Ethan Parker here," he said into the phone.
"Hello, Mr Parker. I'm Jaxon Craddock here. Can I have a word with you please?" Asked Jaxon.
"You're the guy I'm looking for. Tell me what's going on? The media has gone crazy printing mine as well as my daughter's name every day. I saw your press conference today." He said calmly.
"I'm sorry all this has happened Mr. Parker. An employee of my company gave an interview to the media spreading such fake news about all of us. We have taken action against her," said Jaxon.
"Are you involved in a relationship with my daughter?" Asked Ethan Parker.
Jaxon was confused about how much Carmella had told her dad. Should he tell her dad all about themselves? He couldn't lie in case she had already informed him everything. He couldn't avoid the direct question too. He decided to go ahead with the truth, but not all of it though.
"Yes, sir. We love each other but we had a misunderstanding which led to Carmella's accidental fall. She lost our 3-week old baby from that mishap. I wasn't aware of anything as I was in London. When I returned back, she was already gone," he sighed.
Ethan Parker was quiet. He didn't know that things were this serious. No wonder his daughter looked so devastated and depressed all the time. She had lost her baby. There was only one solution to this. He had to get her married to the man she loved so that she could have another baby with him. Maybe it would save her life!
"I see. I want you both to get married in a month. It would save my goodwill. It would save my daughter's life as she's depressed and devastated after losing the baby. It's also what you want, isn't it?" asked Ethan Parker.
"Yes sir. I would be highly honoured to marry Carmella. I can leave everything and come down only if you can make her agree to marry me. She's upset and I don't know how to make her agree. I'll apologize to her the rest of my life, but I need this favour sir," said Jaxon in desperation.
"How soon can you come down to Vegas? I'll talk to both of you together and fix the wedding date," said Ethan Parker, determinedly.
"I can come down by tomorrow, sir," Jaxon said, unable to contain his excitement any more. The prospect of getting married to his Carmella was too enticing to ignore. It was his top priority now. His work could be looked after by Gilbert and Ralph but God was throwing an opportunity to apologize and convince Carmella and he wouldn't let it go.
"Very good, son. I'll see you tomorrow then," said Ethan Parker, disconnecting the call. Jaxon started his happy dance a d Gilbert walked into his office.
"Seeing that dumb dance after twenty years, Jaxon. What has made you so happy?" Asked a grinning Gilbert.
"Spoke to Ethan Parker and guess what? He's planning to get me and Carmella married by next month. Oh, I have to book a flight to Vegas at the earliest. He'll fix a wedding date and I have to be present," said Jaxon and Gilbert's jaws dropped.
"Has Carmella forgiven you? Has she agreed to marry you?" Asked Gilbert.
"No, she doesn't know. Her dad will make her agree. I will keep apologizing and convincing her after we are married," said an excited Jaxon as he booked a flight to Vegas.
"All the best bro. Be very gentle and patient with her please. Don't force her if she doesn't want to forgive you just now. It will take time so go slow with her, okay?" Advised Gilbert.
"Don't worry, I will be patient. I will prove my love for her but first I need to marry her and get her alone, all to myself, " said Jaxon with a grin. Gilbert saw how happy he was and urged him to go home and pack.
"I'll handle everything here. You can come back after the wedding with your wife. Do inform your wedding date. Ralph and I will arrive as your groomsmen. When's the flight?" Asked Gilbert.
Jaxon was relieved that he could take a month-long break from work and woo his bride. "I have four hours before the flight," he said, packing up all his stuff.
"All the best bro. See you at your wedding, " said Gilbert, leaving him with a smile on his face. Jaxon called up Ralph and updated him about his upcoming wedding. He instructed him about the London Fashion Week. Since he wouldn't be able to attend it, Ralph had to handle it all by himself.
Jaxon then called Phil and informed him about his plans. He instructed him on everything that needed to be done while he was gone. "See you at the wedding, Phil. I will message you the date and venue," said Jaxon, walking off to the elevator with his stuff.
He went home and packed his belongings for the trip. It would be a month-long trip and he needed lots of things. Finally, he was ready and left his home, excitedly.
Carmella's parents went to her apartment to talk to her. She was studying for her exams when the doorbell rang. Her parents stood at her doorstep with happy smiles on their faces. Now what had they been up to that had made them so happy?
"Mom, dad, wow. What a surprise!" She said, allowing them into her apartment.
"We need to talk to you Carmella," said her dad. Carmella rolled her eyes. This had to be regarding the video of Jaxon's press conference. The media frenzy would die down in a week or two. Why were her parents overreacting? They all sat down in the living room.
"Did you see the video I sent you?" Asked her dad.
"Yes dad," she said.
"Jaxon called me a few hours back. He told me about your miscarriage. He wants to apologize for the misunderstandings between you," said her dad and she gaped at him. Jaxon knew about her baby? Did Gilbert tell him? He may be didn't know that she hadn't mentioned a word about it to her family. She should have warned Gilbert.
"I don't want to clear anything with him, dad," said Carmella, stubbornly.
"Yes, you will. He's coming down tomorrow and we all want you and Jaxon to get married within a month. He loves you and you both are young. You can have more children together. I can't see you this broken. The wedding will save my goodwill," ordered her dad.
"No, dad. I won't marry Jaxon. He has hurt me, " she said, stubbornly.
"I can't answer everyone about your relationship. My image will be shattered. If you love your mom and me, you will agree. Sort out your differences, you have a month," ordered her dad.
"Please mom, make dad understand, " she protested.
"I agree to what he's saying, sweetie. Jaxon loves you. Misunderstandings can be solved. Even the gravest mistakes can be forgiven if there is truth in one's repentance. Don't be so adamant," said her mom.
Carmella sighed, "Okay, I'll marry him. What choice do I have?" She said, helplessly.
